The number of patients admitted to hospital increased by 81% due to a 19% surge in the number of people injured in road accidents during the Songkran festival compared to last year, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the ministry's permanent secretary, said he was concerned by the increased number of injuries caused by road accidents, adding most drivers and passengers had neglected basic safety rules such as wearing helmets while driving and fastening seat belts.
He said figures collected by the ministry's Public Health Emergency Operation Centre collected on April 11–16 showed the number of accumulated injured people reached 17,775 cases -- a 19.3% increase from last year. Among them, 3,814 cases were admitted to hospital, up 81.8%.
The main cause of accidents (about 92%) was people not wearing a safety belt, followed by not wearing a helmet (32%) and drunk driving (11%).
Meanwhile, the accumulated death toll was 232 cases, falling 26.8% from last year.
The ministry permanent secretary suggested that the public be more cautious while driving back home from their trips as today is the final day of the long holiday.
He also recommended people check their symptoms if they develop a fever, in which case an ATK test for Covid-19 would be needed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of the Interior Ministry reported yesterday that traffic accidents killed 197 people and injured 1,738 others during April 11–15 while motorcycles were involved in 78.9% of the road accidents (see graphic).
Chotenarin Kerdsom, deputy permanent secretary, said most accidents (59) happened in the northern province of Nan and the highest death toll, 15, was recorded in Bangkok.
The highest number of people injured was likewise reported in Nan, at 59 people, he said.
Meanwhile, assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Prachuap Wongsuk said police arrested 362,102 people for violating traffic laws nationwide from April 11–15.
The top violation with 37% of cases was driving over the speed limit, of which there were 133,639 cases.
This was followed by driving without a licence, with 80,251 cases or 22%; driving without a helmet, 71,299 cases or 20%; and drunk driving, 18,205 cases or 5%.